Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-14

| 0auSuDle supply OF auJectlVcS. IL Is IulI
costly and rare bric-a- brio of eff every de
rcription, together with pictures, mirror
and cabinets, filled with relics and trophie
of other days and lands.
You notice as we drive through tn
principal streets block after block of brio
and mortar pressing one against another
| Numbers of these are wholesale houses
whose business is simply enormous. TIL
jobbing trade is very large, and it is SAT-
that were three times Wichita's presen
capital invested in this line she still coul,
not supply the trade naturally tributary t
her. One hundred and seventeen manu-
! featuring industries were reported a coupl
! of months ago, and more are constant.
coming In Wichita is most fortunately
situated in the southeastern part of the state
In the midst of a beautiful valley, jus
where the two Arkansas rivers meet. It
geographical location makes 1t natura
center for vast amount of country, ricf
and rapidly being settled. The railroads
here and there coming, nine in all, will give
it unsurpassed commercial facilities, anG
being safe distance removed from any
dangerous rival all agree that 1t cannot but
be wholesale distributing point for the
great southwest. On late visit Jay Gould
said that bis predictions last fall to the effect
that Wichita would soon be the leading
city west of the Missouri river were being
fulfilled more rapidly than he had expect
ed. And Ed. s. Kinsley, of Boston. pres
ident of the Wichita and Western Railroad
is quoted as saying that now mo adverse
influence can hinder Wichita from becom
ing not only the largest city in Kansas, but
among the greatest cities of the West
We have the only clearing house in the
State and the sum of business for one week
in March is given at $4,000, OO0 Another
week the register of deeds Amounted to full
ly as much and sometime the estate trans
fers reach 1000, 900 week The excite
ment for a while was intense and the real
estate Offices presented indescribably ami
mated scenes A boom, to be appreciated,
must be seen and felt. Ones idea of values
undergo considerable change $75 seems
about as much as Is cents did in the good
old State Of Pennsylvania. Large for
tunes have been made by those who
invested judiciously and kept their
carniums cool. One Of the best
corner lots in the city brought $4,000 a
front foot. Real estate is not only high
here. but it also gets very hilarious at
times, whirling and flying gayly in every
direction, and by the time it is through
with us, or all through us, rather, we're a
comical combination of dust and despair
And all the while, like Oliver Twist, we
constantly cry some more, give us lots of
it-corner lots if you please" A copious
three days rain some time ago, and heavy
showers lately, have poured their treasures
into our hands. The building and business
which back it up are almost past compre
hensiOn. Figures show that there are
3, 1872 new buildings contemplated within
the present year. The estimated COST said
to be low one, is placed at 81, 600, 900.
WOrkmen are kept back for want of ma
terial. They cannot get 1t here fast enough,
According to visiting scribe, one of the
railroads is bringing in fifty car loads of
lumber day; also that in one day this
company had 5000 car loads of
freight, which would amount to
more than fifty miles if the cars
were placed end to end. The buildings
under contract include massive business
blocks. At present over 1000 feet front
age of five and six-story buildings are 60
ing up. The Carey hotel, six stories, cost
ing 100000. is just nearing completion,
and with its heavy cut stone arches and Or
ance. Ground has been broken for
$15O,OO0 government building, which, be-
sides containing the postoffice will be the
headquarters of the United States district
court located here. In October last we
were granted free mail delivery. Our visi-
tors complain of irregularity in this direc-
ton, but please dont blame us. Give it to
the president for not allowing us sufficient
force. Last year the general postoffice bus
mess amounted to about $4,000. In 1870
the mail went around in cigar box. That
was when Wichita was on homestead land,
so you see the Princess of the Palms." as
men delight to call our royal
city, is but Sweet sixteen" When we
consider this, is it any wonder that we re-
gard her growth as marvellous? Six years
ago the population was 5000; now it is
81, 900. Thus, although comparatively in
her infancy, companies, corporations and
individuals have united to make Wichita
city which, for progress and prosperity,
stands second to none in the history Of the
western cities. In the words of our late,
lamented friend. the Queen of Sheba, |
The half has not been told" But now
the day is done and the cool evening comes |
with its softly signing breezes. Let us
haste that we may reach College Hill be-
fore the sun goes down, and there look !
once more upon the pretty princess ere she
goes to sleep in the peace. |
full valley. Two miles removed, how
very beautiful! Our eager eyes seem |
to have caught glimpse of Paradise. The
mind, wearied and restless, settles to re-
pose and drinks deed the quiet beauty of
the lovely picture. Down the gentle slope
our vision wanders to where 1.-The child of |
our affection lies Graded in her bower of |
green, and think, from out the wild waste
Of years
Her structures rise
As from the stroke of an enchanter's wand :"
Beyond, the western sky bushes and
CLOVIS, and the huge clouds above earth and
Hing back the shimmering lights. Behind
Us stretch the prairies, covered with spring
ng grasses and dotted with posies peeping
out like little stars; while here and there
We see farm house-just birds nest
With bit Of shade We turn, and the
sun, just at the horizon, seems to stay his
great red beams in lingering benediction.
GRACE HOWARD LOVE.
The gripping caused by drinking the
sinking waters of the Kaw, warns the To-
'eka and Kansas City paragrapher to cease
alking about the stagnant waters of Wich-
Ia. Meantime, the crystal waters of the